'Harmful to women's dignity'
Coalition 188 condemns attacks on supporters amid personal status law controversy
NEWSROOM — Coalition 188, a pressure group defending Iraq’s current Personal Status Law against pros , condemned the recent attacks on its members and supporters in Najaf and Basra. The coalition also denounced the ongoing smear campaigns against activists and the veiled threats they have received, urging the executive and judicial authorities to provide necessary protection and prevent further unconstitutional assaults.
Clashes erupted in Najaf on Thursday when religious clerics attempted to tear down banners held by women protesting against proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law. The banners, displayed in Al-Sadrain Square, voiced opposition to the changes, which critics argue could undermine the rights of women and children established since the 1950s.
Police formed a barrier between the clerics and the women protesters. The demonstrations, which had been planned in advance, took place in seven governorates.
Coalition 188 asserts that any changes would lead to “the deterioration of social relations, contravene constitutional provisions, and exacerbate sectarian and ethnic divisions within society,” according to a statement released on Sunday.
Coalition 188 includes various civil society organizations, non-governmental entities, public figures, academics, activists, and human rights advocates. The coalition’s name refers to the 1959 Personal Status Law, officially titled Law No. 188 of 1959.
The proposed amendments would give Iraqis the option to have family affairs handled by either religious authorities or the civil judiciary. Critics express concern that this could result in diminished rights related to inheritance, divorce, and child custody, and might also remove the minimum marriage age for Muslim girls, which is currently set at 18 under the 1959 Personal Status Law.
The coalition criticized the efforts of influential parliamentary blocs to impose a sectarian approach to governance, which they believe has failed in Iraq’s diverse society.
The Shia Coordination Framework, Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc, had stated its support for the contentious amendment to the 1959 Personal Status Law, claiming it promotes “freedom of choice.”
The coalition emphasized that “its defense of the current law is a defense of Iraq’s constitution”, the national state, and civil life, standing against sectarianism and division. Coalition 188 called on the government to uphold the constitutional rights to peaceful protest, assembly, and freedom of expression by providing the necessary protection against such assaults.
During the annual event organized by the National Wisdom Movement on Saturday, commemorating the Islamic Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani announced plans for the Higher Council for Women to hold a specialized workshop. This workshop aims to discuss all the observations raised regarding the Personal Status Law.
In his address, Al-Sudani emphasized that Iraqi society “does not condone or support any form of violence against women” and expressed his government’s pride in having “many women leaders” across its administrative institutions. However, details on his official response to the ongoing controversy surrounding this issue have not yet been disclosed.
Previously, a group of Iraqi civil organizations asserted in a statement that “influential sectarian political forces are attempting to hide the negative aspects of their governance and cover up corruption cases that periodically surface, aiming to distract society” with divisive issues to maintain their power and authority.
The coalition also reiterated its call for parliamentary blocs and female MPs opposing the amendments to reject the second reading of the draft amendment in any upcoming parliamentary session. The Iraqi parliament conducted the first reading of the controversial amendments on August 4.
A group of female members of the Iraqi parliament from various political blocs announced the formation of a new parliamentary bloc earlier this month, expressly opposing the proposed amendment to the 1959 Personal Status Law.
The coalition vowed to continue using all peaceful and constitutional means, including organizing community activities and events, to prevent the passage of amendments that it views as harmful to women’s dignity and rights and divisive for Iraqis.
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